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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

TV REVIEW: AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. (Episode 15, Season 2)

TV REVIEW

AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.

EPISODE 15, SEASON 2- "ONE DOOR CLOSES"

When Lucy Lawless' Isabella Hartley died in the first episode of Season 2, I was a little upset. I couldn't believe that the show would get such a high-profile television actress and only use her for one episode. I had some suspicions, but more and more I believed her to be dead and I couldn't believe it. I always love an encore, and as tonight's episode opened, we get a glimpse of the day S.H.I.E.L.D. fell. We learn how Mack, Bobbi and Commander Gonzalez all essentially got together, and one of the agents fighting along with them? Isabella Hartley. This episode reminded me even more why I hope there is a chance Hartley isn't dead, and I hope we see more of Lawless going forward. But that is a big chance that may not come to fruition.

The big storyline of tonight's episode was Coulson's S.H.I.E.L.D. getting overrun by the Real S.H.I.E.L.D. There is a big moment when Coulson has a discussion with Gonzalez, which featured Edward James Olmos returning to his character from last week. While I like Olmos' work on this show, I find his character to be paper-thin. I really don't feel his motivations for overthrowing Coulson make very much sense, which is a disappointment. I think the idea of two competing factions of S.H.I.E.L.D. could make for some incredibly compelling television, especially since we are going to see the Civil War storyline play out in 2016. But so far, they are kind of botching it, unless we learn next week that Gonzalez has interior motives. So far, eliminating Coulson from director simply because he has secrets makes no sense, since this is, in fact, a spy agency they are running. I just really don't find Real S.H.I.E.L.D.s motivations believable and that is kind of bothering.

I did like the part of the show that focused on Skye learning how to use her powers. I did also like her visit by Gordon, the eyeless guy who has been popping up, on and off. I find his character intriguing and I love that Marvel is using this show as a platform to introduce us to the Inhumans. I think Chloe Bennet is really growing into her character, and this is some of the very best acting she has done on the show so far. I think this episode did better with juggling so many stories and giving each storyline time to breathe and to fluctuate. So that was a sigh of relief compared to last week.

Plus, any episode watching S.H.I.E.L.D. lay waste to HYDRA, even if it is a flashback, is okay in my book. I also liked watching Bobbi and May go toe-to-toe, that was pretty cool too.